Local Exterior Residential Painting Company Horror Story to Learn From

Exterior Residential Painting Company Horror Story-and it's not even Halloween, yet!

Exterior Residential Painting Company Horror Story-and it's not even Halloween, yet!

What’s in a price? Is it too high? too low? As a home owner, it’s hard to tell. The best thing to do, is get a few estimates and compare them. The best place to find a reputable painter in Venice, Fl is to ask your neighbors, go to the local chamber of commerce, and then verify it with the paint stores, as they are very familiar with all the painters in town.

But should you just compare prices and go with the lowest one? Our advice is no. And here is a true story to illustrate why:

Once upon a time, there was a gated community in North Venice, Florida. We, Burnett 1-800-PAINTING were trying to get our foot in the door to be the preferred painting company, but we were having a really hard time making any inroads. There was one specific painter who seemed to have a lock on the North Venice Community. All we heard were wonderful things about this painter. We will call him Stan. Stan was very personable and got along exceptionally well with the residents. On top of that, he had amazing prices! We found that he was charging about $2,000 a home, painting about 3 homes a week, and was booked out for a couple of months. Good for him!

Well, I popped into a local paint store and heard the dreaded news. He took off with the residents’ deposits!

This is really bad in many respects. It’s very unfortunate for the residents that lost their deposits-thousands of dollars. It also tarnishes the reputable painting companies working really hard to grow their business. Really, who can you trust if this guy had raving fans before he walked away with their money? (Note: he was not in the local chamber or any service organization, so please check out the local chamber for reputable companies tied to the community.) Another unfortunate aspect of the story is the price for his work.

It may be easier to see now, in retro-spect, why some companies prices are higher:

  1. in order to run a business above the law (insurance, workman’s comp., liability, and paying fair wages to employees, as these are not free) and
  2. to not paint yourself into a corner where running off with deposits and stealing customers’ hard earned money seems like an option

My guess, and I can only speculate, is that Stan, did not have a grasp on what his operating cost were and what his break even is. He was giving a price where he was gaining business, but losing money fast! When the cashflow slowed down or when he ran into a hiccup, he found he did not have enough cash to cover his operation.

Today Stan, is no where to be seen and now his former painter has taken the reins. And I will state he is a great painter! However, being a great painter does not automatically make us a wise business person. That takes year of experience, books, seminars, lessons, and a good calculation of operating costs. I have no doubt, the one who took over can do it.

Please consider the cost when hiring a painting company. If the price is too good to be true, it probable is and you will get what you pay for (or maybe less, as the story shows!). To properly prepare and paint an exterior home with 2 coats using premium paint (9 year warranty) plan on a minimum of $2,800 to $4,000. We have pricing listed on our site for you to view.

Remember, always check your local chamber first, before calling any painting contractor for an estimate.

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Posted September 26, 2012 in Exterior Painting General Tips Interior Painting by Steve Burnett. No Comments

Professionals Always Prep Stucco

Price is what a lot of people use to determine who they go with. Who can blame them? We all want to get the best deal in our purchases. Lowest price doesn’t mean best deal, however. The problem with comparing only by price is that the amateurs are going to charge a whole lot less money. They may even lose money on the jobs and eventually, won’t be in business. When they’re charging less money, they’re going to use much less labor at your home, too. This means that the exterior of your home  may suffer. They are also much less likely to prep the stucco, which could be disastrous to the aesthetics of your home.

 

Stucco isn’t something all exterior painters are familiar with. In areas other than Florida, there are brick and wood homes that don’t deal with stucco. Therefore, prepping stucco is something that you will want to inquire about during estimates. As you’re looking for a painter, you need to ensure they are not only professional, but experienced with Florida homes.

 

The stucco will need to be pressure washed first. This will remove most of the dirt and debris from all the nooks and crannies. If this step is skipped due to inexperience or because the painter is trying to finish the job quickly, the paint isn’t going to adhere to all areas. As a good rain storm hits, it will dislodge the dirt and paint applied on top of dirt and the paint will peel or blister.alway prep stucco-including power washing

 

In addition to pressure washing, the cracks in the stucco need to be repaired. Many people, including painters and homeowners, think that a fresh coat of paint will hide the cracks in the stucco. This may be true for a day or two, but the paint will not hold and water will get in, leading to mold and mold damage. It’s better to repair it all and then add a fresh coat of paint. Does that cost more? Sure. But does it cost as much as repairing a home from mold and mildew damage? No.

 

The Florida sun can do a lot to paint. When you hire an amateur, they are going to be concerned with getting 1 coat of paint onto the stucco. They won’t realize that a base coat of primer needs to be applied first. Without this primer, the paint isn’t going to adhere properly and it’s eventually going to blister and peel.

 

blistering paint on stuccoYou want to make sure your home in Florida looks great. Any money spent for exterior painting in Venice is too much if the stucco isn’t prepped. How will you know? Ask during the estimate what the painting company will do to prep the stucco. Sealer is a key word to listen for. If you hire an amateur, they’re looking at short-term goals only-will the house look good for 1 or 2 years? They aren’t concerned about the details of how you home looks 9 years from now; you’ll just hire them back right? Why waste your money when there are warranties to protect you and your home for 9 years so you can save from hiring a painting contractor every 3-5 years?

 

It’s much better to spend a little more money with a Venice painter and get a professional that knows all about prepping the stucco and how to give a warranty that will last almost a decade. This will ensure that the house is properly cleaned, that stucco cracks are dealt with, and that the paint will adhere to the stucco. Most of all, you will be ecstatic with the money you will save from not having to need your home painted every 3 years or even every 5 years.

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Posted May 21, 2012 in Exterior Painting General Tips by April Burnett. No Comments

Quality Painter = Quality Paint

There are a number of reasons why you should hire a quality Venice painter. Among them includes getting a long lasting, beautiful paint job, an affordable price, and a great warranty. However, above all, you also get quality paint. When you’re looking for exterior painting in Florida to last, the quality of paint matters significantly.

 

Some painters will buy the cheapest paint out there because they will be able to make the most profit. However, cheap paint in Florida has a significant number of downsides. For one, it will probably not adhere to the stucco as well as some of the higher quality paints. This means that as soon as the temperatures start to rise, you will see paint bubbles and blisters. Before long, it will start peeling off the side of your house. It may also not cover as evenly, leaving you with spots of the old color showing. Another option is that it will fade and chalk early. (Chalking is just as it sounds—run your hand over the stucco and if your hand is covered in a chalk like dust, you’re paint has failed.)uneven paint on stucco and cracking stucco

 

The last thing you want is to waste your money with a cheap paint. We all want to save money and make good investments, but remember, you get what you pay for. If there is a company that is painting for much lower and you feel you’re getting a good deal, beware that it may not last more than a couple years until you have to paint all over again. On the other hand, you can get up to a 9 year material and labor warranty.

 

If you’re not hiring a quality painter, that’s exactly what you’re doing. Any quality painter in Venice, Florida will issue you a warranty for the paint they are using. If there’s no warranty, there’s no guarantee that they are using a quality paint that will last for a number of years.

 

Peeling and bubbling isn’t the only thing you have to worry about with a poor quality paint used by a Florida painter. You may also end up with a color that you didn’t plan on. Some of the darker colors can fade much quicker than anticipated. This can happen if the wrong paint is used, as some are not designed to be placed outside or in such extreme heat as found throughout Florida.

 

When you hire a quality Florida painter, they are familiar with the demands of the Florida heat. When temperatures get into the 90s and higher with humidity, paint starts to become an issue. Your quality Venice painter will know how to choose the right paint because there are a number of formulas out on the market designed to combat the heat.

 

Using the right paint in Florida can make all the difference in the world. The paint will be applied, covering up all the old paint. It will adhere to the stucco correctly. It will stay there no matter how hot it gets. It also won’t fade immediately, giving you as long as 9 years to enjoy the paint so you can actually save money in the long run by not having to paint as often.

 

There are plenty of ways to avoid wasting your money with a painter in Venice, Florida. Take the measures to hire a quality painter if you want them to use quality paint. If they don’t know what quality paint is, it’s going to show in everything they do. If a painter comes in too low on the quotes, it may be due to lack of experience (which means they actually lose money painting your home) or due to poor quality paint or both.

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Posted May 18, 2012 in Exterior Painting General Tips by April Burnett. No Comments

4 Ways to Find a Venice, Florida House Painter

When you’re looking for a Venice painter, you want to ensure you hire a professional that understands outdoor painting. There are plenty of painters in the area, but where do you begin? By considering where to look for your painter, you can bypass a lot of the amateurs in the area and skip to the ones that know what they’re doing and offer the best quality.how-to-hire-professional-painter

 

One of the best ways to find a Venice painter is through word of mouth. You can cut out a lot of the problems and the unknowns when you choose a painter that has already done work for a friend or co-worker. As you start to think about who will do the painting of your home, talk to people you work with. Ask your neighbors, friends and family if they know of a painter.

 

Another way to look for a Florida painter is through your community. Consider who is advertising in the local newsletters and magazines in the area. When you choose a painter that is embracing the community, you will likely be happier with the results.

 

A third way to find a painter in Venice, Florida is to contact your local Better Business Bureau. A phone call or visit to the office can prove to be very beneficial to you. Let the representative know you are searching for a professional exterior or interior painter in the area. They will be able to provide you with a list of painters and what their scores are.

 

You can use this information to find out who you could potentially be dealing with. A score of an A+ is the highest rating a company can receive. In order to get this kind of score, the painter must be licensed, insured, and have an outstanding record. Those who receive complaints will receive lower scores. The Bureau will also be able to tell you about any kind of scams going around.

 

Finally, when you’re trying to find a painter in Florida, just be observant. Look for homes and businesses that are being painted and see who the contractor out front is. As you’re driving around town, look for a painting truck on the road next to you and write down the number if you like what you see. Are they working hard? Are they having a good time? Are they doing a great job? Do they look professional?

 

Regardless of where you get the information, you will want to compare two or three painters. However, if you are comparing three professional painters as opposed to two amateurs and one professional, you will make out better overall. You want an affordable paint job with a great warranty and a great looking finished product. While it may take a little time to research the companies, it will be a lot easier if you can start out with quality painters. Remember, a low price may mean compromise to quality.

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Posted May 9, 2012 in Exterior Painting General Tips Interior Painting by April Burnett. No Comments

Avoid the Florida Sun’s Damage By Selecting an Experienced Exterior Home Painter

The Florida sun is good for many things, but it is hard on exterior house paint. If it can turn a tourist bright red in a single afternoon, just think what it can do to the exterior paint of your home. A good paint is like a layer of sunscreen – it will protect your home. However, if you have an exterior painter that is cutting corners or is inexperienced with Florida paint needs, you may end up with something less than the picture-perfect home you envisioned.

 

A professional Florida painter is a good start when it comes to choosing someone to handle the exterior painting of your home. However, there are a few more things to delve into. It’s important to find out what a painter’s experience is with Florida homes. Painting a home in the northern states and painting a home here can be very different – primarily because of the sun.house painting tools

 

Further, it’s important to find out what a Venice painter’s experience is with exterior painting. Some painters focus on indoors and then simply make the switch to do exterior painting because they had a client request it. If a painter doesn’t know the rules to painting stucco, however, it could prevent your home from enjoying the lasting quality that you are looking for.

 

Paint is abused day in and day out in Florida. Even the wrong color paint can be a problem. It’s why you don’t see many red homes or dark-colored homes in Florida. A good painter will make you aware of the fading colors. Red will quickly fade and dark colors will absorb the heat, causing a significant amount of fading, not to mention your electric bill in the summer!

 

A good exterior painter will ensure you choose wisely in regards to your home. They will help you choose colors that deflect the sun and will hold up for a number of years. This will help you get your money out of the painting project so that you don’t have to repaint any sooner than you absolutely have to.

 

The Florida painter you hire will need to know how to handle your stucco. This includes prep, priming, and paint selection. If they fail to do any one of these things or do it incorrectly, your paint could fade, peel, or otherwise look unattractive within months of the paint being applied to the stucco. This isn’t why you hired a professional, therefore you need to be careful.

 

Looking at past work and asking questions can ensure your home will stand the tests of the Florida sun with the Venice painter you hire. If they are inexperienced with Florida homes or stucco, move on to someone else. Your home can get exposure from the sun just like your skin can – and you need to do what you can to protect it.

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Posted April 30, 2012 in Uncategorized by April Burnett. No Comments

Should I Hire the Cheapest Painter in Venice, Florida? Why or why not?

Part of looking for a quality home painter means getting quotes from several painting companies. This is just part of the process to ensure you’re not paying more than you need to. However, if you go with the very cheapest painter that you come across, you could end up with a few unwanted surprises along the way. Make sure to do all the necessary research when choosing a painter.

quality house painter in Venice, Florida

There’s probably a good reason that a painter is so cheap. Especially because of today’s economy, many contractors are willing to lower their prices in order to get more work. But a quality painter isn’t going to have many problems finding work because quality is still in demand. Therefore, if you find a painter that is willing to go extremely low, you have to wonder what kind of quality you are getting.

 

Most painters will come out and look at your property before giving you a quote. This is done because they are looking to see approximately how many hours it will take to complete the job. This will include prep work, repair work, as well as the painting time itself. If a quote comes back too low, they may not have adequately priced the job to handle all the prep that needs to go in.

 

If a painter gives a quote based on doing the painting only, you won’t get a quality job on your home. Failure to prep the stucco means that you won’t get good paint coverage and you may end up with peeling or fading problems, too. If a painter is too cheap, you may end up having to have your home painted every few years.

 

Another thing to be on the lookout for is the quality of paint being used. A home painter that gives you a really cheap price may be using cheap paint, too. The price they quote you needs to sufficiently cover their materials and their time. In order to save money, they may use a lesser quality paint. Quality paint won’t lead to chalking and other issues that can damage the look and structure of your home.

 

It’s best to take the time and look at the type of painter in Venice, Florida that you want. By getting a few different quotes from painters in the area, you can find out who has the lowest and who has the highest prices and who offers the best quality at the best price. An affordable price is something to be on the lookout for. But if it’s too cheap, you have to wonder about where they are cutting corners to offer you such a low price.

 

Do some comparisons, look for warranties, and then make an educated decision on who will paint the exterior of your home.

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Posted April 28, 2012 in Community Spotlight Exterior Painting General Tips Uncategorized by April Burnett. No Comments

3 Things to ask Every Venice, Florida Home Painter Interviewed

A lot of people will make a big deal out of hiring a Florida painter. While it’s critical to do a little comparison shopping, you don’t have to play twenty questions with your painter in Venice, Florida, either. By just asking 3 questions, you can find out everything you need to know about a painter. Since you want the very best in the area, you need to make sure that they answer your questions to your liking before you hire them.

 

Question 1: Is there a warranty? This will tell you a lot more than whether you get a piece of paper or not. The warranty will be what you use to determine how long the exterior painting will last. Some companies issue a three or four year warranty, while others will issue a 9 year warranty. Since you want to get your money’s worth out of your house painter, it’s important to find out the answer to this.house painter warranty

 

The warranty question will also tell you whether they are using quality paint or not. No Florida painter is going to issue a warranty that protects you against fading or peeling unless they are using high quality paint. You can avoid unnecessary painting costs by ensuring you get a warranty from the painter you hire for your home.

 

Question 2: How will you paint the house? Listen to the techniques that the Venice painter will employ on your home. A quick answer of telling you they will paint your home is not acceptable. You need to hear a step by step process to ensure they will prep your home accordingly. If no prep work is being done, it’s not quality that will last.

 

Throughout the techniques, you want to ensure they are using a brush and roller, not a sprayer. The reason for this is because the stucco will get better coverage with a brush and roller. It will also ensure that the home looks the best from top to bottom. With the exception of homes close to one another, a sprayer is not the favored tool and could mean part of your garden will be painted in the process, so make sure they are doing the proper covering.

 

Question 3: Are you insured? Any contractor visiting your home should have liability insurance because it is a way of protecting you, the homeowner. It is also a sign of professionalism on the part of your home painter. If they don’t have an insurance policy, they likely aren’t in the industry full-time, which is reason enough to be concerned.

 

You want to make sure that you ask every painter you interview these same three questions. The way they respond to the questions will tell you a lot about what they do, who they are, and how your home will look when it’s finished.

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Posted April 27, 2012 in Exterior Painting General Tips Interior Painting by April Burnett. No Comments

Choosing Colors When Painting Your Venice, Florida Home

When you built your home, you went through a construction company that had a very limited option for colors. You may or may not have had any choice in what those colors were. As a result, your home looks very similar to at least a dozen other homes in your community. When you hire a Venice, Florida painter, you can finally choose from a number of different colors to change the look of your home.

 

One of the first things that a painter in Venice, Florida will discuss with you is the colors that you want for your home. Depending on the community you live in, you may have some limitations on the exterior, but the interior is free game. However, a painter should be familiar with the community or be able to find out what your limitations are.

 

From there, your Florida painter can offer you suggestions in terms of what will look best for your home exterior painting. Based on the colors you’ve used in your landscaping, the colors that you love as well as the colors of your neighbors’ homes, there are a number of colors that can be established for your home. This includes the base color as well as accent colors for the various other aspects of your home.

Beautiful exterior home repainting that goes well with the landscaping

Beautiful exterior home repainting that goes well with the landscaping...

 

Your home deserves to look unique. You’ve worked hard at establishing a good feel on the inside of your home through different types of furnishings and decorations. You may have even painted the walls on the inside of your home. There’s no reason the same can’t be done to the exterior of your home.

 

Talk with a few different painters in the area to see what type of paint they use, what your color options are, and what kind of warranty they will offer you. Depending on the paint brand a painter uses, you may be limited in colors or on the warranty. You can look forward to a warranty of up to 9 years based on the paint used.

 

You also need to listen to what a painter has to say about your home. You may opt for a very neutral color on the house itself and then green, brown, blue or other colors on the trim or the garage door. By applying a few different colors to your home, they can help to add more character and blend in to give a new look to your house.

 

Every home deserves to look different. If your construction company didn’t give you the options you wanted years ago, that’s one thing. But when it’s time to paint your home again, you may want to branch out and choose some different colors. This is your opportunity to add character to your house and set it apart from the other houses in your community.

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Posted April 16, 2012 in Exterior Painting General Tips Interior Painting by April Burnett. 2 Comments

Opt for a Professional Venice, Florida Painter and Save More

The word ‘professional’ tends to be synonymous with the word ‘expensive’ for many people. However, this isn’t always the case. When you hire a professional painter, you can actually save a significant amount of money. By taking the time to check out the different painters in the area, you may be able to save more money than you ever thought was possible.

 

A professional Florida painter knows how to charge you for the exterior painting of your home. They will come out to your home, look around, and take everything into consideration. They will then charge you a flat fee for the painting. An amateur would likely charge you by the hour. At quick glimpse, this can seem like the affordable option. However, consider what happens each time it starts to rain and your painter has to stop. Also remember that a painter who is being paid hourly may not be using good time management.

 

A professional painter will have the insurance policy to protect you. One of the reasons you pay for a professional Venice painter is to get the insurance policy. If something happens to the painter or your home, the painter would be responsible. When you hire just any painter, they may not be insured. If this happens, you are the one who is financially liable for any accidents.

 

A professional painter will provide you with a warranty, too. This piece of paper can be the easiest way to save money on the painting of your home. A painter will issue you a warranty to say that the paint will last a certain number of years. A 9 year warranty is top of the line and allows you to save money by having a guarantee that you won’t have to worry about painting your home again for another 9 years.

 

An amateur painter may have the best price—upfront. There’s no getting around that. However, that amateur Florida painter may not have the techniques needed to ensure your house looks stunning. It’s hard to improve curb appeal when you have multiple shades going on and they didn’t bother to tape the windows, which now means you have dried paint across your glass panes.How to choose a painting company when repainting your home...

 

An amateur painter is likely not going to understand the different possibilities in exterior paint brands. Choosing the wrong paint can be detrimental to your home. It can cause adhesion problems on your stucco, crack or fade over time because of the sun constantly beating down on it. You want your home to look great immediately after it’s been painted and several years later, too.

 

Hire a professional Venice , Florida painter. When you want to save money year after year, you need to hire a professional, license, insured painting contractor who offers a warranty.

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Posted April 14, 2012 in Exterior Painting General Tips Interior Painting by April Burnett. 1 Comment

Why Prepping the Interior of Your Venice, Florida Home is Critical

You’ve probably walked through someone’s home and cringed when you’ve looked at a wall they’ve painted. Most likely it’s because they didn’t prep the wall properly to accept the paint. Prepping the interior of the home is just as important as prepping the exterior. If you want your home to look stunning, you need to ensure that you hire a Venice, Florida painter that understands how to paint indoors.

 

Not every Florida painter out there knows the demands of interior painting. Some are used to painting outdoors where there aren’t as many things to be taped off and considered. This is not the type of painter you want to hire.

Proper painting preparation-an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Proper painting preparation-an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

 

Look at the wall you want to paint. Chances are, it’s not a completely blank canvas. First, electrical outlets and light switches need to be attended to. The faceplates need to be removed. The wires then need to be taped over to ensure they are not damaged or painted during the painting process.

 

If you were to leave the faceplates on, paint is going to get on them. Then you’re going to do the same thing you’ve done inside other people’s homes…cringe. This is not a feeling you want when you’re in your own home. Taking a few minutes to prep the wall can mean better results.

 

Painter’s tape is a painter’s best friend. This will ensure you don’t paint areas that shouldn’t be painted. This includes the crown molding at the top, the baseboard at the bottom and even the ceiling line. Venice painting should be all about clean lines. If the right prep isn’t being done, you will end up with sloppy lines and paint everywhere.

 

The wall may need a little work, too. Paint is liquid, therefore it’s not going to be the fix-all for problems on the wall. If there are little holes in the wall because of nails, they need to be patched first. Otherwise they will still be there after the wall is painted. If additional drywall repairs need to be done, a Venice painter may call in a contractor to assist, too.

 

Some colors may not be able to be painted directly on the wall without some additional prep. You may need to add a primer to the wall first. If you hire a professional painter, they will be able to know which colors need primers and which ones don’t. They will also provide you with the number of coats necessary to get the true color you want.

 

Prepping the interior of your home before painting is critical. A professional painter in Venice, Florida can help you take care of all preparations so you don’t have to do anything. You can have as little involvement as you want. All you really have to do is choose the color paint, what wall you want it to go on and sit back and wait for your walls to change the look and feel of your home.

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Posted April 13, 2012 in Exterior Painting General Tips Interior Painting by April Burnett. No Comments